Kalaupapa Tour

Those taking the tour will need to arrange transportation to the park and can arrive at Kalaupapa several different ways. The most straightforward way is to fly directly from Honolulu to the Kalaupapa airport. Pacific Wings and Molokai Air (808-567-6847 or 808-833-5492) offer daily return flights. Note: The cost of flights from Honolulu to Kalaupapa are variable and have ranged recently from $130 to $160. Flights from Hoolehua to Kalaupapa have been up to $60. Early booking is recommended.

Alternatively, flights to Hoolehua Airport on topside Molokai are available through Molokai Air and other airlines. If arriving at Hoolehua, you will need to drive to the overlook, find the Pali Trial to Kalaupapa and hike. Limited flights are also available from Hoolehua to Kalauapa airport. Please ensure you arrive at Kalaupapa before 9:30 am and return no later than 4:30pm. No overnight stays are allowed on the peninsula.

While difficult to access, the Kalaupapa Peninsula is a place of unique natural beauty and considerable historic and archaeological interest. Those taking the tour will be collected at the trailhead and airport in vans at a fixed time. The tour will cover historic preservation of architectural sites on the peninsula, view current and projected collections storage and exhibition facilities, and visit numerous cemeteries in Kalaupapa and the original settlement at Kalawao a place of spectacular beauty. The cemeteries are currently being surveyed for condition and will eventually be conserved and included in an overall maintenance plan. Exact details in regard to time and location will be mailed in conference registration packets. It will be necessary to bring lunch and water since there is no place to purchase food or drinks. Photography is not permitted in areas where patients are, and children under 16 are not allowed into the settlement. Those bringing children aged 17 or 18 must be granted special permission to enter.

Ms. Voeks will be speaking about her work at Kalaupapa on Thursday the 9^th of October at the conference. Kalaupapa is best known as the leprosy settlement on Molokai and is where patients with Hansen's disease or leprosy were isolated before the disease could be effectively treated with medication. It is also well known through the accounts of many writers of the life of Father Damien, a Belgian priest resident on the Peninsula in the 19^th century. A small number of patients still live in the colony but are not restricted to living at Kalaupapa. Many of the patients have traveled widely and lead productive lives.